St Bedes/Mentone Tigers welcomed newcomer Old Carey to their Fortress on Saturday and sent them home without the points, like most others in the last 6 years – the Tigers have only lost to 4 teams in that time at Brindisi Street. The Tigers got off to a flyer with the first 2 goals, and a ton of passion for the contest, to put the visitors on the back foot but Carey consolidated and with concise ball-movement clawed back a couple in a free-wheeling quarter to eventually lead by 8 points at the first break. In the second, the Tigers took the initiative and took control as they harrassed the Panthers at every turn and, with Andrew Scafidi and James Tyquin running hard and racking up possessions and Dan Garside like a rock in defence, the Tigers looked to be on a mission as they controlled the football but were unable to dominate to the same extent on the scoreboard. After half time the Mentone team continued to control the football and subject Old Carey to fierce contests around the ball and with Ben Phibbs and Pat Liston both in season-best form looked to finish off the Bulleen team’s challenge only to have the visitors kick the last goal of the quarter on the siren to bring the deficit back to 5 points. •The Panthers took the lead within a minute of the start of the last and the momentum-swing was evident when they banged on another 2 in the next 5 minutes to grab a handy 15 point lead and with their big following roaring, looked to be in very good shape to deliver an upset. However, not willing to relinquish their unblemished home record for 2011, the Tigers gritted their teeth and after a strong mark on a long lead, Jaryd Robertson booted a 50 metre gem to reduce the margin to 9 points and with their most experienced player in Luke Wintle in control in the centre and around the ground the locals regained the lead with 2 quick goals from their least experienced in young, small forward Shaun Glennen. •Again St Bedes were inspired as they tackled like it was a Grand Final and refused Old Carey any of the ball while adding another 2 to get out to a 16 point lead at the 22 minute mark – this Mentone team, as ever, ran out the last quarter like they had another left in them and left Old Carey in their wake with the final margin of 17 points a true reflection of the merits of the contest as the Tigers booted clear of Uni Blues and Old Xavs in second place on the VAFA Premier Division table.
•The Reserves had a comfortable 86 point victory over Old Carey to rekindle their finals’ chances while the U19s consolidated their position in the four with a 50 point win over Uni Blues.
•Next Saturday, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers journey to Camberwell to take on Old Scotch who beat them a month ago at Elsternwick Park.